The Dallas Mavericks are exploring veteran point guard options to fill the void left by Kyrie Irving’s injury, with D’Angelo Russell and Malcolm Brogdon emerging as top targets, per NBA insider Shams Charania.
Irving, who underwent ACL surgery in March, is not expected to return until January 2026. In the meantime, Dallas is seeking a starter-caliber guard to help stabilize the backcourt.
Russell, 29, is an unrestricted free agent after splitting the 2024–25 season between the Lakers and Nets. He averaged 12.4 points and 4.7 assists in 29 games for Los Angeles before being traded to Brooklyn, where he started 26 of 29 games and posted 12.9 points and 5.6 assists per game.
Brogdon, 32, is also available on the open market after his contract with Washington expired. The veteran averaged 12.7 points and 4.1 assists on 43.3 percent shooting in 24 games for the Wizards.
According to Charania, Irving’s new three-year, $119 million deal was structured in a way that allows the Mavericks to use the taxpayer mid-level exception this offseason. That exception, worth approximately $5.2 million annually, could be a key tool in targeting Russell or Brogdon.
“This was a beneficial deal for both sides because the numbers that he’s signing for… allow the Mavericks to have a taxpayer mid-level exception,” Charania said Monday on SportsCenter. “They need to find a point guard that they can bring in that can play as a starter while Kyrie Irving is out.”
Dallas is also preparing to welcome projected No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg, after unexpectedly winning the 2025 draft lottery despite having just a 1.5 percent chance. The team recently re-signed center Daniel Gafford and continues to retool the roster around Irving, Anthony Davis, and its young core.
Irving, who declined a $43 million player option to sign his new deal, cited long-term vision and organizational trust as key factors.
Charania noted Irving’s commitment stems from belief in the franchise’s leadership and title aspirations: “He told me his decision to return and stay in Dallas was largely based on commitment… and wanting to build real legacy in Dallas.”
With training camp approaching and Irving out for at least half the season, Dallas may act quickly to address its point guard need.
